MX23RW : Tuesday, May 14 21:19:47| >> :60:486:486:

Kick It Out demands 'strong sanctions and education' after racial abuse claims

Cyrus Christie said his sister was hit and racially abused by a Fulham fan at Barnsley.

Kick It Out has called on the Football Association and clubs to take action against the "disgraceful" incidents of abuse which marred the opening weekend of the season.

Fulham defender Cyrus Christie alleged his sister was hit and racially abused by a Cottagers fan during their Championship match at Barnsley on Saturday.

The London club are investigating the matter and have vowed to take "the strongest possible action".

Meawhile, Southend striker Theo Robinson claimed he was a target of racist abuse from a fan sitting near his family and friends at Coventry.

Kick It Out also said James McClean of Stoke and Barnsley's Bambo Diaby were subjected to abuse.

The anti-discrimination body said: "We are appalled to hear that the sister of Fulham's Cyrus Christie was subjected to alleged violence and racist abuse on Saturday, with Southend United's Theo Robinson, Stoke City's James McClean and Barnsley's Bambo Diaby targeted with unacceptable discriminatory abuse too.

"On the first weekend of the season, these incidents should be a reminder for everyone in football that racism and discrimination cannot be ignored.

"Clubs and the football authorities must be relentless in calling out this disgraceful behaviour, and be prepared to issue strong sanctions and education sessions to any supporter involved.

"We have contacted the clubs to offer our support to the players, are liaising with the police and have informed the FA of all the incidents, so that whoever is responsible can be brought to justice.

"Discrimination casts a shadow over football in this country, and we will not stop highlighting the problem while it remains rife in the game."

The Fulham Supporters' Trust said it was "shocked" to hear of the alleged abuse directed at Christie's sister.

It added: "We condemn any such behaviour unequivocally and encourage anyone who witnessed the incident to contact the club or the police with details.

"We would particularly like Cyrus and his family to know that as Fulham fans we won't tolerate any form of discriminatory behaviour at our club."

ID:367094: cacheID:367094:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5023:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Ryan Sessegnon in action during the Premier League game between Fulham and Watford on September 22, 2018
Read Next:
Spurs closing in on Ryan Sessegnon?
>
Read more about Cyrus Christie Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City37277393336088
2Arsenal37275589286186
3Liverpool372310484414379
4Aston Villa37208976562068
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs371961271611063
6Newcastle UnitedNewcastle361761379572257
7Chelsea361691173611257
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd36166145256-454
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham371410135971-1252
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton361212125458-448
11Bournemouth37139155365-1248
12Crystal Palace371210155258-646
13Wolverhampton WanderersWolves37137175063-1346
14Fulham37128175159-844
15Everton37139153949-1040
16Brentford37109185461-739
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3789204766-1929
18Luton TownLuton3768235081-3126
RBurnley3759234076-3624
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd37372735101-6616


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!